Muenster | Health Notes at WWSM | Health Information at WWSM

Muenster

Wine Pairings

Preparation, uses, and tips

French Muenster can be served with the salad course, with dessert fruits, such as cherries, pears, plums, or peaches, with beer and wine, and with hearty rye breads. German Muenster has a moderate flavour, which makes it an ideal complement to fruit, raw vegetables, breads, preserved meats, beer, or wine. American Muenster, with its mild flavour, combines well with other more full-flavoured foods, and melts nicely.

Buying and storing tips

Like most cheeses, Muenster should be refrigerated at temperatures of about 35 to 40°F (0.8 to 1.6°C) in its original wrapping or container, or in waxed paper, foil, or a tightly covered container. Use within one to three weeks after purchase.

Varieties

Traditional German Muenster is a washed-rind cheese made from cows’ milk; it has an orange rind and can have a strong odour and a mild to strong flavour; it is enjoyed as a table cheese.

American Muenster (sometimes called Munster) is a smooth, light-coloured, semi-soft cheese textured with tiny holes; it is much milder than the European varieties. Many American Muensters are made in Wisconsin.

French Muenster is known for its full, sharp flavour, its creamy consistency, and its sometimes assertive odour. Muenster is initially white and odourless; the pungent aroma develops as it is aged over the course of a month, during which the cheese is rind-washed. It is typically seasoned with anise, fennel, caraway, or cumin seeds.

Nutrition Highlights

Muenster cheese, 1 oz. (28g)
Calories: 104
Protein: 6.6g
Carbohydrate: 0.32g
Total Fat: 8.5g
Fiber: 0.0g
*Excellent source of: Calcium (200mg)

*Foods that are an “excellent source” of a particular nutrient provide 20% or more of the Recommended Daily Value, based upon United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) guidelines. Foods that are a “good source” of a particular nutrient provide between 10 and 20% of the USDA Recommended Daily Value. Nutritional information and daily nutritional guidelines may vary in different countries. Please consult the appropriate organization in your country for specific nutritional values and the recommended daily guidelines.

Learn more about Healthnotes, the company.

Learn more about the authors of Healthnotes.

The information presented in the Food Guide is for informational purposes only and was created by a team of US–registered dietitians and food experts. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or chemist for any health problem and before using any supplements, making dietary changes, or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires September 2008.